Do photoelectric effect suggest that the emission of energy by an atom be quantized

[haoku]

Homework Statement

Do photoelectric effect suggest that the emission of energy by an atom be quantized

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I think it is true as photoelectric effect told us that atom emitt energy in terms of electron.

 

[rock.freak667]

Not sure since the photoelectric effect occurs when EM radiation is incident on a metal only.

But if you consider the energy levels in atoms, an electron will only be sent to a higher energy level if it absorbs EM energy equal to the difference in the n=0 level to another.

$E_1-E_2=hf$

So, if EM radiation of a known frequency is incident on an atom and hf is equal to that difference, then the electron will move to a higher energy state.

 

[Moetasim]

And electron has a discrete energy levels, which implies that the energy emitted by an atom must also be quantized. The photoelectric effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a photon of light strikes a metal surface, causing the emission of electrons. The energy of the emitted electrons is dependent on the frequency of the incident light, and can only occur if the energy of the photon is greater than the work function of the metal. This suggests that the energy of the emitted electrons is quantized, as it can only take on certain discrete values determined by the energy levels of the electrons in the atom. This is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, which states that energy is quantized and can only exist in discrete packets or levels. Therefore, the photoelectric effect does suggest that the emission of energy by an atom is quantized.